Special Canadian legal advisor permit
Special Canadian legal advisor permits are for members of the Bar of another province or a territory of Canada.
Holders of a special Canadian legal advisor permit become members of the Barreau du Québec and have the same duties and obligations as other members of the Barreau du Québec: they must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct of Lawyers and hold professional liability insurance with coverage limited to $1 million and the activities authorized under the special permit.
Activities you may carry on with this type of permit
The Regulation respecting the issuance of special permits of the Barreau du Québec defines the limits of each special permit.
| Special permit | Permitted activities |
|---|---|
| Canadian legal advisor |
|
You must remain a member of your own Bar even after the Barreau du Québec issues you a permit.
Conditions to obtain a special legal advisor permit
You must provide the following documents:
- the duly completed application for admission to the Barreau du Québec, which will be reviewed by the Committee for Access to the Profession before your application for a special permit is referred to the Board of Directors for a decision;
- the application for a special Canadian legal advisor permit;
- all documents that must be submitted with the application for admission (listed in schedules 1 and 2 of the application), including proof of identity, Canadian police clearance and documents attesting to your knowledge of French;
- a certificate issued by a competent officer of the Bar of which you are a member, attesting that you are legally authorized to practice law and that you have not been disbarred or that your right to practice law outside Quebec has not been limited or suspended;
- your law degree(s);
- your CV; and
- any other document that may be required.
How to obtain a permit
Applications for a special permit are reviewed by the Secretary of the Order, who ensures that the conditions for the issue of a permit are met. If the conditions are met, the application for admission to the Barreau du Québec is referred to the Committee for Access to the Profession, which, pursuant to section 45 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, must examine whether the applicant has the moral character, conduct, skills, knowledge and qualifications required to practice the profession.
Upon receipt of the decision of the Committee for Access to the Profession declaring the applicant eligible to practice the profession, the application for a special permit is submitted to the Board of Directors, which decides whether or not to issue a permit.
It takes at least three months to process an application for a special permit. If the application is incomplete, it may take longer. Moreover, the Committee for Access to the Profession may consider it necessary to meet with the applicant.
Once the Board of Directors decides to issue a special permit, you must follow the steps outlined below to be entered on the Roll of the Order and to be able to practice within the limits of your special permit:
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Annual membership dues
You must pay the full amount of the annual membership dues for the current year to be entered on the Roll of the Order.
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Professional liability insurance
You must take out professional liability insurance for members of the Barreau du Québec. You will be covered for $1 million.
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Oath
Before being entered on the Roll of the Order, you must take an oath or pledge allegiance.
Administrative fees
The permit application fee is $243, payable online by credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
Once you are entered on the Roll of the Order, you must pay the annual membership dues.
Commissioner for Admission to Professions
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Barreau du Québec handles or has handled your application, you may file a complaint with the Commissioner for Admission to Professions. You may also file a complaint if you are dissatisfied with other stages of the admission process.